Sterilizing method, sterilizing apparatus, and air cleaning method and apparatus using the same

ABSTRACT

A sterilizing method and apparatus in which neutral atoms and anions are coupled to produce a sterilizing substance which is, in turn, used to remove an object to be removed by sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus includes a cation generator and an anion generator, which are separate from each other. Also disclosed as an air cleaning method and apparatus using the sterilizing method and apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.2004-58861, filed on Jul. 27, 2004 in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a sterilizing method and apparatus,and, more particularly, to a sterilizing method and apparatus forkilling bacteria by generating ions. The present invention also relatesto an air cleaning method and apparatus using the sterilizing method andapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Generally, an air cleaning apparatus includes a filter mounted in ahousing for filtering diverse impurities; a blowing fan for introducingair from a room space into the housing, thereby forcing the introducedair to pass through the filter, and for discharging the filtered air outof the housing; and an anion generator for generating anions.

In this air cleaning apparatus, the room air is cleaned while passingthrough the filter when the blowing fan is driven, and is thendischarged into the room space, together with anions generated from theanion generator. However, such a conventional air cleaning apparatus,which includes a filter and an anion generator, is limited in itsability to kill bacteria floating in the air, using only the filter andanions generated from the anion generator. In order to solve thisproblem, a new ion generator has been proposed which performssterilization using both anions and cations. Such an ion generator,which can generate both anions and cations, is described in JapanesePatent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-123940.

In this conventional ion generator, AC voltage is applied to twoelectrodes to alternately generate anions and cations. The generatedanions and cations are supplied into a room space. In this case, thecations are hydrogen ions (H+), and the anions are super-oxide anions(O₂ ⁻). When the hydrogen ions and super-oxide anions are supplied intothe room space, they produce hydroxyl radicals (OH) or hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂). These compounds are adsorbed to bacteria present in the roomair, to thereby oxidize and kill the bacteria.

However, this conventional ion generator has a problem in that hydrogenions, which are harmful to the human body, are discharged into the roomspace intact, so that the user's health may be negatively impacted uponinhaling the hydrogen ions.

Furthermore, since each electrode alternately generates anions andcations, considerable amounts of anions and cations are coupled beforethey can be used for sterilization, so that their effectiveness is lost.

In addition, since each electrode alternately generates anions andcations, it is impossible to generate sufficient amounts of anions andcations required for sterilization within a short period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in view of the above-mentionedproblems, and an object of the invention is to provide a sterilizingmethod and apparatus which is harmless to the human body.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sterilizing method andapparatus, which exhibits superior sterilizing performance, and an aircleaning method and apparatus using the sterilizing method andapparatus.

In accordance with a first aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing method which comprises: generating cations and anions usinga cation generator and an anion generator, respectively; couplingelectrons generated from the anion generator with the cations, therebyproducing neutral atoms; and supplying the neutral atoms and anions toan object to be removed by sterilization, thereby removing the object bya sterilizing substance produced by coupling of the neutral atoms andanions.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing method using a sterilizing apparatus including a cationgenerator, and an anion generator installed in the vicinity of thecation generator, the method comprising: driving the cation generator,thereby generating cations; driving the anion generator, therebygenerating electrons and anions; moving the cations and electrons towardeach other to cause the cations and electrons to react with each other,thereby producing neutral atoms; and moving the neutral atoms and anionstoward an object to be removed by sterilization, to cause the neutralatoms and anions to react with the object, thereby producing asterilizing substance.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing apparatus comprising: a cation generator for generatingcations; and an anion generator spaced apart from the cation generatorby a predetermined distance for generating electrons and anions.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing apparatus comprising: a first electrode for generatinghydrogen ions in air; and a second electrode for generating electronsand super-oxide anions in the vicinity of the first electrode, whereinthe hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react with theelectrons generated from the second electrode, thereby producinghydrogen atoms, which, in turn, react with the super-oxide anionsgenerated from the second electrode, thereby killing bacteria present inthe air.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing apparatus comprising: a cation generator for generatingcations in air; a neutral atom producer including an electron dischargerfor discharging electrons which react with the cations, therebyproducing neutral atoms; and an anion generator for generating anionswhich react with the neutral atoms, thereby killing bacteria present inthe air.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides asterilizing apparatus comprising: a first electrode for generatinghydrogen ions in air; a second electrode for generating electrons in thevicinity of the first electrode; and a third electrode for generatingsuper-oxide anions in the vicinity of the first and second electrodes,wherein the hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react withthe electrons generated from the second electrode, thereby producinghydrogen atoms which, in turn, react with the super-oxide anionsgenerated from the third electrode, thereby killing bacteria present inthe air.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides anion generating apparatus comprising: a cation generator for generatinghydrogen ions in air; and an electron discharger arranged in thevicinity of the cation generator for discharging electrons, wherein thehydrogen ions generated from the cation generator react with theelectrons discharged from the electron discharger, thereby producinghydrogen atoms which are, in turn, coupled with super-oxide anionspresent in the air, thereby removing the super-oxide anions.

In accordance with yet another aspect, the present invention provides anelectric appliance comprising an air flow path, and a sterilizingapparatus arranged in the air flow path, wherein the sterilizingapparatus comprises: a first electrode for generating hydrogen ions inair; and a second electrode for generating electrons and super-oxideanions in the vicinity of the first electrode; wherein the hydrogen ionsgenerated from the first electrode react with the electrons generatedfrom the second electrode, thereby producing hydrogen atoms which, inturn, react with the super-oxide anions generated from the secondelectrode, thereby killing bacteria present in the air.

In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides an aircleaning apparatus comprising: a filter arranged in a body; a blowingfan for circulating air present in a room space such that the air passesthrough the filter; an air discharge path for guiding the room airemerging from the filter to be discharged out of the body; and asterilizer arranged in the air discharge path, the sterilizer includinga cation generator and an anion generator.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forthin the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following description of the embodiments, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing apparatusaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing ions generated from the sterilizingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a to 3 e are schematic views showing a sterilizing methodcarried out by the sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a testing apparatus for testingthe performance of the sterilizing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows graphs depicting the test results obtained by the testingapparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a sterilizing apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing ions generated from the sterilizingapparatus of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an air cleaning apparatus inwhich the sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 is installed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail with respect to the embodiments ofthe present invention, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain thepresent invention by referring to the figures. However, the presentinvention should not be construed as being limited thereto.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a sterilizing apparatus according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thesterilizing apparatus includes a base 10, a ceramic plate 11 mounted onan upper surface of the base 10, a needle-shaped electrode 12 mounted onthe base 10 while being spaced apart from the ceramic plate 11 by apredetermined distance, and a cover 13 which defines the diffusion rangeof ions generated from the ceramic plate 11 and needle-shaped electrode12 within a predetermined space.

A recess is provided at the upper surface of the base 10 for mountingthe ceramic plate 11. The ceramic plate 11 is fitted in the base 10. Theceramic plate 11 is adapted for generating cations. As shown in FIG. 2,a discharge electrode 14 is provided at an upper surface of the ceramicplate 11 inside the ceramic plate 11. An induction electrode 15 is alsoprovided at a middle portion within the ceramic plate 11 when viewed ina thickness direction of the ceramic plate 11. The remaining portion ofthe ceramic plate 11 is made of ceramic to form a protective layer.

A high positive voltage is applied between the discharge electrode 14and the induction electrode 15. The high positive voltage is preferably3.9 kV to 4.3 kV, even though it may have other voltage ranges. Whensuch a high positive voltage is applied between the discharge electrode14 and the induction electrode 15, plasma discharge occurs at theceramic plate 11, so that moisture (H₂O) present in the air around theceramic plate 11 is ionized, thereby generating hydrogen ions (H⁺).

Meanwhile, a high negative voltage is applied between the needle-shapedelectrode 12 and a ground electrode 17. The high negative voltage ispreferably −3.2 kV to −3.6 kV, even through it may have other voltageranges. When such a high negative voltage is applied between theneedle-shaped electrode 12 and the ground electrode 17, plasma dischargeoccurs at the needle-shaped electrode 12, so that cations accumulatearound the needle-shaped electrode 12, and a large amount of electronsare discharged from the needle-shaped electrode 12 into the air. Theelectrons discharged into the air are very unstable and therefore arecaptured by oxygen molecules (O₂) in the air, thereby formingsuper-oxide anions (O₂ ⁻). Thus, when a high negative voltage is appliedto the needle-shaped electrode 12, electrons and super-oxide anions aregenerated.

Electrons discharged from the needle-shaped electrode 12 are coupledwith hydrogen ions reaching the needle-shaped electrode 12 after beinggenerated from the ceramic plate 11, so that hydrogen atoms (or activehydrogen) are produced. In order to promote coupling of the hydrogenions, generated from the ceramic plate 11, with electrons generated fromthe needle-shaped electrode 12, a blower 18 may be arranged at one sideof the sterilizing apparatus to forcibly feed hydrogen ions toward theneedle-shaped electrode 12.

As described above, the needle-shaped electrode 12 is spaced apart fromthe ceramic plate 11 by a predetermined distance. It is desirable toappropriately determine the spacing between the ceramic plate 11 and theneedle-spaced electrode 12, based on the size of the ceramic plate 11and the height of the needle-shaped electrode 12. This is because theamount of hydrogen atoms formed from the hydrogen ions generated fromthe ceramic plate 11 varies depending on the spacing between the ceramicplate 11 and the needle-shaped electrode 12.

Since the hydrogen ions generated from the ceramic plate 11 are coupledwith electrons discharged from the needle-shaped electrode 12, and thus,form hydrogen atoms, hydrogen atoms and super-oxide anions are finallydischarged from the sterilizing apparatus.

The cover 13 has a tunnel-shaped structure opened at the bottom thereofto have a pair of laterally-spaced longitudinal lower ends. The cover 13is separably coupled with the base 10 such that the lower ends of thecover 13 are slidably engaged with cover rails 16 formed at lateral endsof the base 10 on the upper surface of the base 10, respectively. Whenthe sterilizing apparatus generates hydrogen ions while blowing air intothe cover 13 at one side of the cover 13 under conditions in which thecover 13 is coupled with the base 10, the hydrogen ions thus generatedare moved toward the needle-shaped electrode 12 within the cover 13 andthe hydrogen ions are then coupled with electrons discharged from theneedle-shaped electrode 12, thereby producing hydrogen atoms which are,in turn, discharged from the other side of cover 13. Together with thehydrogen atoms, super-oxide anions generated from the needle-shapedelectrode 12 are also discharged from the other side of the cover 13 bythe blowing air.

Hereinafter, a sterilizing method carried out by the sterilizingapparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 a to 3e.

In accordance with the sterilizing method, a high positive voltage isfirst applied between the discharge electrode 14 and induction electrode15 in the ceramic plate 11, thereby generating hydrogen ions.Simultaneously, a high negative voltage is applied to the needle-shapedelectrode 12, thereby generating electrons and super-oxide anions. Also,air is blown into the cover 13 at one side of the cover 13 to feed thehydrogen ions to the needle-shaped electrode 12 or a region around theneedle-shaped electrode 12.

When the hydrogen ions approach the needle-shaped electrode 12, they arecoupled with the electrons present around the needle-shaped electrode12, thereby producing hydrogen atoms. The hydrogen atoms are thendischarged from the cover 13, together with the super-oxide anionsgenerated from the needle-shaped electrode 12.

The super-oxide anions, which are discharged from the sterilizingapparatus into the air, exhibit a polarity opposite to staticelectricity (+) of bacteria floating in the air, so that the super-oxideanions are adsorbed to the surface of the bacteria, as shown in FIG. 3a. Once the super-oxide anions are adsorbed to the surface of thebacteria, the hydrogen atoms, which are discharged from the sterilizingapparatus into the air, react with the super-oxide anions, as shown inFIGS. 3 b and 3 c.

When such a reaction is carried out between the super-oxide anions andthe hydrogen atoms, the following reactions are sequentially carriedout, so that states of FIGS. 3 d and 3 e are sequentially obtained.H+O₂ ⁻→HO₂ (hydroperoxy radical)+e+Static Electricity of BacteriaHO₂+3H (hydrogen atoms of protein forming a cell membrane of thebacteria)→2H₂O

That is, the super-oxide anions and hydrogen atoms, which react witheach other, form hydroperoxy radicals. Also, the electrons of thesuper-oxide anions offset the static electricity of the bacteria. Eachhydroperoxy radical then captures three hydrogen atoms from the proteinforming the cell membrane of the bacteria, thereby producing two watermolecules. As a result, the protein molecules of the cell membrane,which donate the hydrogen atoms, are destroyed, thereby causing the cellmembrane of the bacteria to be destroyed. Thus, sterilization isachieved.

Referring to FIG. 4, an apparatus for testing the performance of thesterilizing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is illustrated. The testingapparatus includes a chamber 30, a virus supplier 31 arranged at oneside wall of the chamber 30, an ambient air sucking filter 32 arrangedat one side wall of the chamber 30 beneath the virus supplier 31, and adischarge duct 33 connected to the other side wall of the chamber 30. Adetection filter 34 is arranged in the discharge duct 33. A suction pump35 is mounted to an outlet end of the discharge duct 33. A table 36, onwhich the sterilizing apparatus is to be laid for testing thereof, isarranged in the chamber 30. A blowing fan 37 is also arranged in thechamber 30 to blow air to the sterilizing apparatus.

For testing, the sterilizing apparatus is first laid on the table 36 inthe testing apparatus. Thereafter, viruses (Influenza viruses, NewCaledonia) are supplied from the virus supplier 31 into the chamber 30for 10 minutes. After completion of the virus supply from the virussupplier 31, the sterilizing apparatus and blowing fan 37 are driven for30 minutes. Subsequently, the suction pump 35 is driven. In this state,the number of viruses detected by the detection filter 34 is checked.FIG. 5 shows graphs respectively depicting the number of suppliedviruses and the number of viruses detected by the detection filter 34.

In FIG. 5, the Y-axis represents the number of viruses (log scale), thegraph A represents the number of viruses supplied from the virussupplier 31, the graph B represents the number of viruses detected after30 minutes without driving the sterilizing apparatus, and the graph Crepresents the number of viruses detected after 30 minutes of drivingthe sterilizing apparatus. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that thenumber of viruses was reduced when the sterilizing apparatus was notdriven, however, the number of naturally reduced viruses was small. Onthe other hand, 99.6% of the supplied viruses were removed within 30minutes when the sterilizing apparatus is driven.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a sterilizing apparatus according to asecond embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In FIGS. 6and 7, constituent elements respectively corresponding to those in FIGS.1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIGS. 6and 7, the sterilizing apparatus includes a base 10, a ceramic plate 11mounted on an upper surface of the base 10, a first needle-shapedelectrode 19 mounted on the base 10 while being spaced apart from theceramic plate 11 by a desired distance to generate electrons, a secondneedle-shaped electrode 21 mounted on the base 10 while being spacedapart from the first needle-shaped electrode 19 by a desired distance togenerate super-oxide anions, and a cover 13 to define the diffusionrange of ions generated from the ceramic plate 11 and needle-shapedelectrodes 19 and 21 within a predetermined space. The ceramic plate 11and cover 13 of FIG. 6 are the same as those of FIGS. 1 and 2, so thatno description thereof will be given.

A high negative voltage of, for example, −3.2 kV to −3.6 kV, is appliedbetween each of the first and second needle-shaped electrodes 19 and 21and a ground electrode 17. When such a high negative voltage is appliedbetween the first needle-shaped electrode 19 and the ground electrode17, plasma discharge occurs at the first needle-shaped electrode 19, sothat cations accumulate around the first needle-shaped electrode 19, anda large amount of electrons are discharged from the first needle-shapedelectrode 19 into the air.

Since the first needle-shaped electrode 19 is arranged in the vicinityof the ceramic plate 11, the electrons discharged from the firstneedle-shaped electrode 19 are coupled with hydrogen ions reaching thefirst needle-shaped electrode 19 after being generated from the ceramicplate 11, so that hydrogen atoms (or active hydrogen) are produced. Inorder to promote the coupling of the hydrogen ions, generated from theceramic plate 11, with the electrons generated from the firstneedle-shaped electrode 19, a blower 18 may be arranged at one side ofthe sterilizing apparatus to forcibly feed the hydrogen ions toward thefirst needle-shaped electrode 19.

Meanwhile, when the high negative voltage is applied between the secondneedle-shaped electrode 21 and the ground electrode 17, plasma dischargealso occurs at the second needle-shaped electrode 21, so that a largeamount of electrons are generated from the second needle-shapedelectrode 21. Since the electrons discharged from the secondneedle-shaped electrode 21 into the air are very unstable, they arecaptured by oxygen molecules (O₂) in the air, thereby formingsuper-oxide anions (O₂ ⁻).

Thus, the hydrogen ions discharged from the ceramic plate 11 are coupledwith the electrons generated from the first needle-shaped electrode 19,thereby producing hydrogen atoms, The hydrogen atoms, in turn, reactwith the super-oxide anions generated from the second needle-shapedelectrode 21, thereby producing hydroperoxy radicals having asterilizing function. In accordance with the second embodiment of thepresent invention, hydrogen atoms are produced, using electronsgenerated from the first needle-shaped electrode 19, and super-oxideanions are generated from the second needle-shaped electrode 21, ascompared to the first embodiment.

As described above, the first and second needle-shaped electrodes 19 and21 are spaced apart from the ceramic plate 11 by predetermineddistances, respectively. It is desirable to appropriately determine thespacing between the ceramic plate 11 and each needle-spaced electrode,based on the size of the ceramic plate 11 and the height of theneedle-shaped electrode, to achieve maximal hydrogen atom producingperformance.

Although the second embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in terms of a method in which a high negative voltage isapplied to both the first and second needle-shaped electrodes 19 and 21,the high negative voltage may be applied to the first needle-shapedelectrode 19 alone. In this case, hydrogen atoms, which are generatedfrom the first needle-shaped electrode 19, are coupled with super-oxideanions, which are a kind of active oxygen naturally generated in theair, thereby removing the super-oxide anions.

Referring to FIG. 8, an air cleaning apparatus is illustrated which usesthe sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1. The air cleaning apparatus includesa body 40, an inlet 41 arranged at one side wall of the body 40, anoutlet 42 arranged at the other side wall of the body 40, a filter 43mounted in the body 40, a blower 44 to forcibly circulate room air suchthat the room air is discharged out of the body 40 after passing throughthe filter 43, and the sterilizing apparatus of FIG. 1 arranged in anair discharge path 45 defined in the body 40.

When the blower 44 is driven to clean the room air in the air cleaningapparatus, the room air is sucked into the interior of the body 40through the inlet 41, and then passes through the filter 43, so thatimpurities are removed from the room air by the filter 43. Thereafter,the room air is fed along the air discharge path 45 to be discharged outof the body 40 through the outlet 42. In this case, the sterilizingapparatus may be driven, simultaneously with the driving of the blower44. When the sterilizing apparatus is driven, hydrogen atoms andsuper-oxide anions are discharged into the air discharge path 45.Accordingly, bacteria present in the room air passing through the airdischarge path 45 are removed in accordance with the above-describedsterilizing process using the generated hydrogen atoms and super-oxideanions.

Although this embodiment illustrates an air cleaning apparatus, to whichthe sterilizing apparatus is applied, the sterilizing apparatus of FIG.1 and the sterilizing method using the same may also be applied toappliances requiring sterilization, other than air cleaners, forexample, air conditioners, ventilators, and refrigerators.

Also, although hydrogen atoms and super-oxide anions are distributedinto the air so that they are coupled in the air to produce hydroperoxyradicals for sterilization, in the illustrated embodiments, thehydroperoxy radicals themselves may be distributed into the air. In thelatter case, the hydrogen atoms and super-oxide anions are coupled inthe sterilizing apparatus to produce hydroperoxy radicals which are, inturn, distributed into the air.

In both the first and second embodiments of the present invention, thecover 13 is used to promote the reaction between hydrogen ions andelectrons and the reaction between hydrogen atoms and super-oxideanions. However, the present invention may be implemented without usingthe cover 13.

As apparent from the above description, in accordance with the presentinvention, hydrogen atoms are used for sterilization, in place ofhydrogen ions harmful to the human body. Accordingly, it is possible toprevent the user from being exposed to the harmful hydrogen ions duringthe sterilization.

In accordance with the present invention, the sterilizing apparatusincludes a cation generator and an anion generator, which are separatedfrom each other. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a reduction inthe number of ions available for sterilization due to ion loss caused bycoupling of cations and anions prior to the use thereof forsterilization, as in conventional cases in which cations and anions arealternately generated from the same ion generator.

In addition, since the cation generator and anion generator areseparated from each other, it is possible to produce a sufficient amountof ions required for sterilization, and thus, to achieve enhancedsterilizing performance.

Although certain embodiments of the present general inventive concepthave been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilledin the art that changes may be made in these embodiments withoutdeparting from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope ofwhich is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing air comprising: a cationgenerator for generating cations; an anion generator spaced apart fromthe cation generator by a predetermined distance for generatingelectrons and anions, wherein the cations react with the electrons,thereby producing atoms; an inlet side into which air from a fan flows;and an outlet side from which the atoms and the anions are discharged,wherein said cation generator is disposed at the inlet side, and theanion generator is disposed at the outlet side.
 2. The sterilizingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cation generator comprises adischarge electrode and an induction electrode, and hydrogen ions aregenerated when a high positive voltage is applied between the dischargeelectrode and the induction electrode.
 3. The sterilizing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the anion generator comprises aneedle-shaped electrode, and electrons are discharged into the air whena high negative voltage is applied to the needle-shaped electrode, andare coupled with oxygen molecules present in the air, thereby formingsuper-oxide anions.
 4. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein: the cation generator and anion generator are mounted on anupper surface of a base; and the sterilizing apparatus further comprisesa cover defining a diffusion range of hydrogen ions generated by thecation generator, and electrons and super-oxide anions generated by theanion generator within a predetermined space.
 5. The sterilizingapparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cover has a tunnel shape,and is coupled, at a bottom thereof, to the upper surface of the base.6. A sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing air comprising: a firstelectrode for generating hydrogen ions in the air; a second electrodefor generating electrons and super-oxide anions in the vicinity of thefirst electrode, wherein the hydrogen ions generated from the firstelectrode react with the electrons generated from the second electrode,thereby producing hydrogen atoms, which, in turn, react with thesuper-oxide anions generated from the second electrode, thereby killingbacteria present in the air; an inlet side into which air from a blowerflows; and an outlet side from which the hydrogen atoms and thesuper-oxide anions are discharged, wherein said first electrode isdisposed at the inlet side, and the second electrode is disposed at theoutlet side.
 7. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, furthercomprising: the blower for feeding the hydrogen ions generated from thefirst electrode toward the electrons discharged from the secondelectrode.
 8. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein:the first electrode comprises a discharge electrode and an inductionelectrode, between which a high positive voltage is to be applied; andthe second electrode comprises a needle-shaped electrode, to which ahigh negative voltage is to be applied.
 9. A sterilizing apparatus forsterilizing air comprising: a cation generator for generating cations inthe air; a neutral atom producer including an electron discharger fordischarging electrons which react with the cations, thereby producingneutral atoms; an anion generator for generating anions which react withthe neutral atoms, thereby killing bacteria present in the air; an inletside into which air from a fan flows; and an outlet side from which theneutral atoms and the anions are discharged, wherein said cationgenerator is disposed at the inlet side, and the anion generator isdisposed at the outlet side, and the neutral atom producer is disposedbetween the cation generator and the anion generator.
 10. Thesterilizing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the cations comprisehydrogen ions, the neutral atoms comprise hydrogen atoms, and the anionscomprise super-oxide anions.
 11. A sterilizing apparatus for sterilizingair comprising: a first electrode for generating hydrogen ions in theair; a second electrode for generating electrons in the vicinity of thefirst electrode; a third electrode for generating super-oxide anions; aninlet side into which air from a fan flows; and an outlet side fromwhich the hydrogen atoms and the super-oxide anions are discharged,wherein said first electrode is disposed at the inlet side, and thethird electrode is disposed at the outlet side, and the second electrodeis disposed between the first electrode and the third electrode, andwherein the hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react withthe electrons generated from the second electrode, thereby producinghydrogen atoms which, in turn, react with the super-oxide anionsgenerated from the third electrode, thereby killing bacteria present inthe air.
 12. An ion generating apparatus for generating ions in aircomprising: a cation generator for generating hydrogen ions in the air;an electron discharger arranged in the vicinity of the cation generatorfor discharging electrons, wherein the hydrogen ions generated from thecation generator react with the electrons discharged from the electrondischarger, thereby producing hydrogen atoms which are, in turn, coupledwith super-oxide anions present in the air, thereby removing thesuper-oxide anions; an inlet side into which air from a blower flows;and an outlet side from which the hydrogen atoms and the super-oxideanions are discharged, wherein said cation generator is disposed at theinlet side, and the electron discharger is disposed at the outlet side.13. An electric appliance for sterilizing air comprising an air flowpath, and a sterilizing apparatus arranged in the air flow path, whereinthe sterilizing apparatus comprises: a first electrode for generatinghydrogen ions in the air; a second electrode for generating electronsand super-oxide anions in the vicinity of the first electrode, whereinthe hydrogen ions generated from the first electrode react with theelectrons generated from the second electrode, thereby producinghydrogen atoms which, in turn, react with the super-oxide anionsgenerated from the second electrode, thereby killing bacteria present inthe air; an inlet side into which air from a blower flows; and an outletside from which the hydrogen atoms and the super-oxide anions aredischarged, wherein said first electrode is disposed at the inlet side,and the second electrode is disposed at the outlet side.
 14. Theelectric appliance according to claim 13, wherein the electric applianceis an air cleaner, a refrigerator, an air conditioner or a ventilator.15. An air cleaning apparatus comprising: a filter arranged in a body; ablowing fan for circulating air present in a room space such that theair passes through the filter; an air discharge path for guiding roomair emerging from the filter to be discharged out of the body; and asterilizer arranged in the air discharge path, the sterilizer includinga cation generator and an anion generator, wherein the cation generatorgenerates hydrogen ions, and the anion generator generates electrons andsuper-oxide anions such that the generated hydrogen ions, electrons, andsuper- oxide anions are discharged into the air discharge path, whereinthe hydrogen ions react with the electrons, thereby producing atoms,wherein the air discharge path comprises an inlet side into which theair from the blowing fan flows and an outlet side from which thehydrogen atoms and the super-oxide anions are discharged, and whereinsaid cation generator is disposed at the inlet side, and the aniongenerator is disposed at the outlet side.
 16. The air cleaning apparatusaccording to claim 15, wherein the hydrogen ions generated from thecation generator and the electrons generated from the anion generatorare coupled, thereby producing the hydrogen atoms, and the producedhydrogen atoms are coupled with the super-oxide anions, therebyproducing hydroperoxy radicals to kill bacteria present in the room air.17. The air cleaning apparatus according to claim 15, furthercomprising: a cover to define a diffusion range of the hydrogen ionsgenerated by the cation generator and the electrons and super-oxideanions generated by the anion generator within a predetermined space.18. A sterilizing apparatus comprising: a blower; a cation generator togenerate cations; and an anion generator spaced apart from the cationgenerator by a predetermined distance to generate electrons and anions,wherein the cations generated from the cation generator are fed to theanion generator by the blower, wherein the cations are coupled to theelectrons, thereby producing neutral atoms, wherein said cationgenerator is disposed at an inlet side into which the air from theblower flows, and the anion generator is disposed at an outlet side fromwhich the neutral atoms and the anions are discharged, and wherein theneutral atoms and the anions are supplied to an object to be removed bysterilization, by the blower, thereby removing the object.
 19. Thesterilizing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein: the blower, thecation generator, and the anion generator are spaced apart from oneanother by a predetermined distance in order of the blower, the cationgenerator, and the anion generator; and the cations are fed to the aniongenerator by the blower, and then coupled with the electrons, therebyproducing the neutral atoms.
 20. The sterilizing apparatus according toclaim 18, further comprising: a cover to define a diffusion range of thecations generated by the cation generator and the electrons and anionsgenerated by the anion generator within a predetermined space.